The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1887-11-09

spe.d much time in answering ypur as.
sailants.
Many years ago word cams to me that
two impostors, as temperance lecturers,
had been speaking In Ohio IN various
places. and ri wing their experieneess and
they told their audience that they had
long been intimate with me, and had be-
come drunkards by dining at my table,
where always had liquors Of all sorts.
Indignant to he last degree, went down
to Patrick Campbell, chief OF Brooklyn
police, saying was going to start that
night for Ohio to have these villains ar
rested. and wanted him 10 tell me how
TO make an arrest. He smiled and said:
ssDo not waste your time by chasing these
men. Go home and do your work and
they can do you no harm.n ! took his
counsel, and all was we'll. Long ago /
made up my mind that IL one will put his
trust in God, and be faithful to duty, he
need not fear any evil. Have God on
your side, young man, and all the COM
bincd forces on earth and he'll can do you
no damage.
And this leads me to say that
mightiest Of all defense for young man
Is the possession Of thorough religious
principle Nothing can take the place Of
it. He may have manners that would put
to shame the gracefulness aud courtesy
Of Lord Chesterfield. Foreign language
may drop from his tongue. He may DO
able TO discuss literature, and laws, and
foreign customs He may weld a pen OF
uuequaled polish and power. His quick
ness and tact may qualify him for the
highest salary OF the countin house He
may be as sharp as Herod and as strong as
4 r.<lk
hung Absalom, still he Is not safe from
communications. The more elegant his
manner, and the more fascinating his
dress, the more peril. Satan does not caro-
much for the allegiance of a coward and
an illiterate being He can bring him into
efficient service. But he loves to storm
that castle of character which has in It
the most spoiis and treasures 1t was not
some crazy craft creeping along the coast
with yalueiess cargo that the pirate at
tackled but the ship, full winged and
tagged, plying between great ports, car
rying its million of specie.
The more your natural and acquired ac-
complishments the more need OF the re-
ligion of Jesus. That does not cut in up
on or hack up any smoothness of disposi-
ton or behavior. 1t gives symmetry. 1t
arrests that in the soul which ought to be
arrested, and propels that which ought to
be propelled. It fills up the gulleys. It
elevates and transit rms. To beauty it
gives more beauty, to tact more tact, to
anthusiasr of natura mora enthnsjasm
When the HOLY Spirit impressss the image
Of God on the heart He does not spoil the
canvas. If in all the multitudes
of Young men upon whom religion
has acted Won could find one ma
aged / would Weld this proposition. You
NAV now have enough strength OF charsc-
ter to repel the various temptations TO
gross wickedness which assail you, but /
do not know in what strait YOU NAV be
thrust at some future time. Nothing
short of the grace of the cross nav thep, be
able to deliver YOU from the lions, You
are not meeker than Moses. nor hcsier
than David. nor more patient than Fob.
and you ought not to consider yourself in
valuable. You NAV have some weak point
of character that Won have not discovered
and in some hour when Won are assaulted
the Philistrne will be upon thee. Samson,
Trust not in your good habits. or your
early training. or your pride OF character:
nothing short of the arm of the Almighty
God will be sufficient to uphold you. You
look forward to the world sometimes with
a chilling despondency. Cheer NIL
will tell Won how Won NAV make a fortune:
see, f,rst the l,nsdom Of God and His right.
eousness, and oil other things win be added
unto you.
I know you do not want to be mean in
this matter. Give God the freshness of
your life. You will not have the heart
to drink down tile trimming cur OF
life and then pour ont the dreqs on Gods
altar. To a Saviour so infinitely gen
erous you have not the heart to act like
that. That is not brave. that Is not hon
orable. that Is not manly. Your greatest
want In all the world is a new heart. In
Gods name I tell you that. And the
Blessed Spirit presses through the solem-
mites and privileges OF this holy hour
Put the cup of life eternal to your thirsty
lips. Thrust it not back. Mercy offers IL.
bleeding mercy, long suffering mercy
Reject all other friendships, be ungratefu
for all other Kindness, prove recreant to
all other bargains but daspise Gods love
for your immortal soul--don't you do that
/ would like to see some of you this
hour press out of the ranks OF the world
and lay your conquered spirit at the feet
OF Jesus This hour is no wandering
vagabond staggering over the earth, 1t is
a winged messenger of the skies whisper
ing mercy to thy soul Life is smooth
now, but after awhile IL may be rough,
wild and precipitous There comes
crisis in the history of every man. We
seldom understand that turning point
until il is lar past.
The road OF life is forked. and read on
| two sign-boards: "This is the way to hap